Page 93 of Desperate Justice
His tormented gaze met hers. He threw his helmet on the ground. “We’ve been operating a joint task force with the DEA and a few months ago succeeded in putting a man undercover close to Hernandez. We’ve spent years trying to nail thathijo de putaand put his ass in prison. He killed two of my best agents last year, and I took a bullet to the neck and one to my abdomen. If not for a Good Samaritan, I would have died.”
I know. Her heart squeezed tight as she remembered that terrible night...
And had never told him. Never worked up the courage.
“Some of the task force is on their way here. That’s why I have to return you to the cabin. You can’t get involved in this.”
“I’m already involved! Rafe, only two milligrams of fentanyl can kill. And you think the tan bears contain pills?”
“That’s what I need to check out. Raine acted suspicious when you got near the bears in that box in the bar. Were all the bears the same color as yours and Diana’s?”
She nodded.
Rafe looked grim. “That may be the reason why your room was broken into at the motel, Ally. Someone was looking for the bears they thought you had.”
“I’m going with you.” As he started to protest, she smiled sweetly. “I’m in this all the way, Rafe.”
He gave her a level look. “Even if we find out your sister is involved?”
Allison swallowed past the fear rising in her throat. “As long as I find her and she’s still alive. And safe.”
His expression tightened. “Fine. Follow my lead and do exactly as I say, or I swear, for your own good, I’ll drive you to the nearest gas station and make you wait there.”
“I promise,” she said.
As she dismounted, Allison had a bad feeling. Empty parking lot.
All the window shades were pulled down. The bar looked deserted. Yet they had been here earlier today and Raine said the place was open for lunch.
He caught her arm. “You’re staying here. Raine may be armed.”
She noticed the handgun at his waist. Allison bristled. “I’m going with you, Rafe. You’re not doing this alone.”
Another motorcycle pulled into the parking lot. The rider dismounted and pulled off his helmet. Sam.
“I’m with you,” Sam said
She and Rafe exchanged glances. “How did you...?” Rafe began.
“Jase called me and thought you’d need backup until the other agents could get here. He told me where you were going.”
Sam gave her a level look. “Stay here, Allison.”
They both looked menacing and serious, but she was in this all the way. “I’m going in. I’ll be behind you, but you can’t stop me.”
Ever the cowboy, Sam muttered, “Yeehaw. Do you have any idea what fentanyl does, even a little dust?”
“You need to minimize skin contact if investigating a possible case of fentanyl.”
“It doesn’t get absorbed through the skin,” Sam countered.
Allison rolled her eyes. “You’re not likely to get sick from it touching your skin, but if you touch it, you need to wash your hands immediately. Don’t rub your eyes or nose or mouth to avoid getting it into your mucus membranes. Dust can be dangerous as well. Even tiny amounts may become airborne. Always better as a first responder not to take chances.”
She fished three N95 masks out of her backpack and handed two to each of them. “Here. I always travel with extras. They aren’t as efficient as respirators but offer some protection at least.”
Rafe studied the pack. “What else do you have in there, Mary Poppins? Got any Narcan?”
“Naloxone in my first aid kit.”
